A continuing resolution is in the works. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) plans to release text of a bill that would fund the federal government after Dec. 20, when current funding expires. Politico reports that Congressional leaders were still negotiating Sunday afternoon after hitting an impasse Saturday over billions of dollars in farm aid. 

Also on Capitol Hill... The House Ways & Means Committee announced its new Republican members in the next Congress: Reps. Rudy Yakym (IN), Max Miller, (OH), Aaron Bean (FL), and Nathaniel Moran (TX). On Wednesday, the Joint Economic Committee will hold a hearing on trade wars and tariffs, and the Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing to consider nominations of James Couglan, Halie Craig, and William Kimmitt to be members of the US International Trade Commission. 

Supreme Court to hear case on tax exemptions for religious charities. The US Supreme Court will decide whether Wisconsin can deny unemployment tax exemptions to the Catholic Charities Bureau. The state’s top court agreed with Wisconsin officials, who maintain that the exemption applies only to organizations primarily serving religious purposes and that the group has secular functions. Catholic Charities argues this interpretation penalizes them for helping non-Catholics. A ruling favoring the charity could expand the exemption to other religiously affiliated organizations like hospitals and universities.    

Washington State considers full property tax exemption for seniors. A new bill in filed with the state legislature would exempt people aged 75 and older from all state and local property taxes. The measure includes provisions for homeowners residing in assisted living or nursing homes, ensuring the exemption applies even if a home is temporarily unoccupied or rented to cover care costs.  

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